LIQUOR CONTROL

Welcome to the Division of Liquor Control

  Click here to learn about the Commerce Department Division of Liquor Control.

  Click here for information about the leadership in the Division of Liquor Control.

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ABOUT US

Every state in the country has an alcohol beverage control agency that regulates the manufacturing, wholesale distribution and retail sale of alcoholic beverages. There are no unrestricted free markets for alcohol sales in any state.
In Ohio, the Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control is responsible for controlling the manufacture, distribution, licensing, regulation, and merchandising of beer, wine, mixed beverages, and spirituous liquor as the law is outlined in the Ohio Revised Code Chapters 4301. and 4303.

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SUPERINTENDENT

Superintendent
JIM CANEPA
Contact Me

Jim Canepa is Superintendent of the Division of Liquor Control. He joined the division in February 2017 to provide project leadership for the Liquor Modernization Project (LMP), the state’s effort to modernize systems and processes across the liquor enterprise.

Under Canepa’s leadership, the division has replaced a 40-year-old inventory system with the Microsoft Dynamics AX system, added 17 new Liquor stores towards the goal of 20 by January 2019, reduced delisted inventory by 58% (75,418 bottles) since November 2017, and has started the process of enterprise-wide merchandise-category optimization with 125 of 465 Liquor stores scheduled to be re-set by October 2018.

Prior to joining the division, Canepa served as Chief of Staff and Legal Affairs for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. In this role, he managed the Agency’s Legal Affairs, regulatory compliance and enforcement, and criminal investigation and enforcement. He has served in numerous leadership roles in Ohio state government, including Chief Legal Counsel with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Deputy Inspector General with the Office of the Ohio Inspector General and First Assistant Attorney General for the Ohio Attorney General. In these roles, he was responsible for overseeing legal affairs, complex projects and process improvements.

Canepa began his career with the Franklin County, Ohio, Prosecutor’s Office, where he served as an Appellate Prosecutor and a Senior Trial Prosecutor. In those roles, he defended felony convictions in the Tenth District Court of Appeals (Ohio) and the Ohio Supreme Court, and supervised and litigated felony criminals in trials in common pleas court, respectively.

Throughout his career, Canepa has been recognized for his exemplary work and was honored with the Outstanding Advocacy award from the National Association of Government Attorneys, the Caulley Award for Outstanding Victims Service and a Resolution of Recognition from the Office of Governor George V. Voinovich.

Canepa earned a Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School, and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University.

Publications

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LOOK IT UP

Find A Liquor Store Search Ownership Allows you to obtain the name of an individual/entity owning a business with issued or pending retail licenses

Types of Permits, Fees and Definitions Available Look up a list of all types/classes of permits with their definition, the fee, and a link to the Ohio Revised Code

Search Special Events Licenses Allows you to obtain a list of special event and non-profit organizations with a permit to sell alcohol for individual events

Search Permit Holders Allows you to search the name/address of businesses holding a license

Beer and Wine Distributor / Brand File for Download Click on the link to download the distributor Excel file. The data is a delimited file with a comma as the only delimiter. It may take several minutes to download this file.

Search Permits In Safekeeping Allows you to search the name/address of licensed retail businesses currently not in operation while maintaining a permit

Search Violations Allows you to search the violation history of licensed retail businesses

Get a liquor license for your business.
Learn how to get your carryout, grocery store, bar or restaurant licensed to sell liquor.
SPIRITS
Welcome to the Division of Liquor Control Agency Operations
Agency Operations

The Division of Liquor Control manages a system of agency stores, called “Contract Liquor Agencies,” for the wholesale and retail sale of spirituous liquor. Spirituous liquor is intoxicating liquor containing more than 21% alcohol by volume. The Division selects products and sets the prices at which the Contract Liquor Agencies sell to licensed retailers and consumers.
Search and Find
- Ohio Liquor Locations
- Ohio Liquor Products
New Agency (Store) Information
- New Agency Locations Available
- Agency Store FAQs
Existing Liquor Agencies (Stores)
- Change Assigned Wholesale Store
- Tasting At An Agency (Store)
Broker and Supplier Information
Become a Contract Liquor Agent.
Learn how agency stores are chosen and operate.
LICENSING
Welcome to the Division of Liquor Control Licensing Section

Liquor Permits
The Division of Liquor Control issues new licenses, renews licenses annually, and approves license transfers for Ohio’s approximately 25,000 private businesses that are alcohol manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, retailers, and organizers of special events where alcohol is sold.
The Division registers all beer, wine, and mixed beverages (containing 21% alcohol by volume or less) products for sale in Ohio. This section also registers out-of-state suppliers and all salespersons of beer, wine, and mixed beverage products.
SPECIAL EVENTS

General

Selling Alcohol At Special Events And Charitable Functions

Temporary FAQ Chart

Review our quick tips!

Major Events

Qualifying Major Event Waiver Application

Qualifying Major Event Waiver

Temporary Permit Online Portal

Temporary Liquor Permit Web Portal

Temporary Permit Applications

Apply For A Temporary License:

To Sell Beer For A Special Event (F)

To Bring Alcohol To A Convention Center (F1)

Sell Beer, Wine, Mixed Beverages (F2)

For Educational Purposes (F3)

To Showcase Ohio Wines (F4)

For A Riverboat (F5)

By A 501c(3) Organization For wine only (F6)

What is A 501c(3) Organization

For A Qualified Golf Event (F7)

For A Publicly Owned Property (F8)

For A Park Leased From A Municipality (F9)

Registered Farmers Market (F10)

To Showcase Ohio’s Craft Beers (F-11)

90 day temporary event to sell beer or wine (F-12)
RETAILER (New)

To determine what type of retail liquor license you should apply for, please view our Permit Classes (click here).
Below on the left are various Retail Liquor License Applications offered by the state of Ohio. In addition you may need to file additional forms, located below on the right, depending on the type of transaction and/or business entity, in order to assist the division with processing your application.

Apply For:

New Bar, Restaurant or Carryout

Additional Fixed Bars/Counters – (Duplicate Bar)

Transporting Alcoholic Beverages (H)

Selling In a Resort Area (D7)

Selling In An Enclosed Shopping Mall (D5B)

Selling On Railroad, Aircraft or Dining Car (E)

Drugstore/Pharmacy For Medicinal Purposes(G)

Buy Wholesale As A Druggist (I)

Sunday Sales of Intoxicating Liquor (D6)

Community Entertainment District (D5J)

Tasting Samples of Beer, Wine and Mixed Beverages (D8)

Private Club License (D4)

Liquor Permit Application Checklist

Forms To Complete with your Application:

LLC Membership Disclosure

Officer/Shareholder Disclosure

Partnership Disclosure 4031

Non-Profit Disclosure 4029

Private Club Officer Disclosure

Background Check Process

Personal History / Background Form

Financial Verification Sheet

Summary of Tenancy

Hotel/Motel Affiliation Agreement

General Information / Forms:

How To Apply for a Liquor Permit

Cancel An Application Or Issued Liquor License

Renew my Retail Liquor Permit FAQ

Basic Requirements for Inspection of Premises
TRANSFERS

To view a description of the license you are transferring, please view our Permit Classes (click here).
Below on the left are various Applications that can be completed if you are transferring an existing liquor permit. You may also need to file additional forms located below on the right, depending on the type of transaction and/or business entity, in order to assist the division with processing your application.

Apply For/To:

Transfer Ownership Only

Transfer Ownership & Location

Transfer Location Only

Change LLC Membership

Change Corporate Shareholders

General Information:

How To Transfer a Liquor Permit

Cancel An Application Or Issued Liquor License

Basic Requirements for Inspection of Premises

Renew my Retail Liquor Permit FAQ

Forms To Complete with your Application:

LLC Membership Disclosure

Officer/Shareholder Disclosure 4030

Partnership Disclosure 4031

Non-Profit Disclosure 4029

Private Club Officer Disclosure

Background Check Process

Personal History / Background Form

Financial Verification Sheet

Summary of Tenancy

Summary Of Purchase Agreement

TREX-Economic Development Form

TREX Fee Chart When Moving to New Renewal Period
MANUFACTURER

Manufacturers & Suppliers

New Beer Alcohol by Volume (ABV) Regulations

Apply To Direct Ship Beer & Wine To Consumers

Submit Annual Shipping Report

Apply To Sell Wine To Retail License Holders

Apply To Register A Product

Register A Brand Sales Territory

Apply for a Repackaging Permit

Conduct A Sample Liquor Tasting

Apply To Temporarily Close Business Operations

Apply To Expand/Reduce Your Premises

Suppliers Only

Apply To Be A Supplier Of Alcoholic Beverages

Solicitors

Apply To Be A Liquor Sales Representative (Solicitor)

Manufacturers Only

Direct Shipping Information

Apply to manufacture and sell ice cream with alcohol for consumption on premises where manufactured, or sealed containers for consumption off premises

Apply To Manufacture Alcoholic Beverages (In-State)

New Ohio Farm Winery Permit (A2F)

Canning/Bottling/Packaging

Organization Disclosure

Submit A Financial Verification Sheet

LLC Membership Disclosure

Officers/Shareholders Disclosure

Partnership Disclosure

Submit Personal History/ Background

Background Check Process

Renew Your Liquor Sales Representative (Solicitor) Registration
DISTRIBUTOR

Wholesalers & Distributors

Apply To Become A Wholesale Beer, Wine & Mixed Beverage Distributor (In-State)

Apply To Direct Ship Beer & Wine To Consumers

Apply To Sell Wine To Retail License Holders

Apply To Register Product

Register A Brand Sales Territory

Conduct A Sample Liquor Tasting

Apply To Temporarily Close Business Operations

Apply To Expand/Reduce Your Premises

Organization Disclosure

Submit A Financial Verification Sheet

LLC Membership Disclosure

Officers/Shareholders Disclosure

Partnership Disclosure

Submit Personal History/ Background

Background Check Process

Solicitors

Apply To Be A Liquor Sales Representative (Solicitor)

Renew Your Liquor Sales Representative (Solicitor) Registration
RENEWALS

General Information

When Do I Renew My License

Resolve Tax Problems That Are Stopping The Renewal of My License

Object to the Issuance or Renewal of a Liquor License

July 1, 2021 Renewal Guide

Legislative Authority Objection Rights

Renewal Process

How to Renew My License Once it has Expired
Investigations

Investigations & Compliance
The Investigative Services Unit of the Investigations & Compliance Section is responsible for the physical inspection of all liquor permit applicants and licensed permit holders in order to verify compliance with the liquor laws and regulations of the State of Ohio. They also conduct investigations regarding the operation of licensed permit premises for the purpose of determining compliance and enforcement of Ohio's administrative laws regarding beer and intoxicating liquor. Criminal provisions of the law, such as underage sales, are enforced by the Ohio Department of Public Safety's Investigative Unit.
Inspection Requirements

Basic Requirements for Inspection of Retail Premises - DLC4070

Applications & Forms

Apply To:

Temporarily Close Business Operations – DLC4214

4301:A1-1-16 Law on Temporary Closing Authority

4303.272 Law on Safekeeping of your Permit

Apply To:

Expand or Reduce your Premises – DLC4248
You can play a role in preventing underage drinking.
Learn how you can help stop the serving of underage drinkers.
RESOURCES
Welcome to the Division of Liquor Control Information Resources
Permit Classes

To view a detailed description of the different Permit Classes and their associated fees Click Here

Laws & Rules
Ohio Administrative Code (OAC)
- Division Rules 4301
- Law On Closing Authority (Business Operations Closed More Than 30 Days) 4301:A1-1-16
- Law On Gambling 4301:A1-1-53
- Liquor Commission Rules
Ohio Revised Code (ORC)
- Liquor Laws & Rules
- Law On Safekeeping (Temporary Discontinuance of Business Operations) 4303.272
- Law On Open Containers 4301.62
- Law On Ethics "No Gifts Please…" 102
Social Responsibility & Prevention
Publications and Documents
Liquor Associations
Helpful Sites & Information
Availability / Quota of Permits
Legislative Authority Information
- Legislative Authority Information
Having problems with a bar in your community?
Learn the steps you can take to help protect your neighborhood.
CONTACT US

Welcome to the Division of Liquor Control

Visit Us

Mailing Address
Ohio Department of Commerce
Division of Liquor Control
6606 Tussing Road
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Hours Of Operation
8 AM - 5 PM
Phone (614) 644-2360
Email web.liqr@com.state.oh.us

Give us your

Division of Liquor Control Sections
Inspections & Compliance
Investigative Service Unit:
Phone (614) 644-2455

Agency Operations (Liquor Agency Information)
Liquor Enterprise Service Center
877-812-0013
OhioLiquorInfo@com.ohio.gov

Retail Licensing
Renewal of Retail License:
Phone (614) 644-3162
Fax (614) 644-6968
Special Event Licensing: (Temporary permits)
Phone (614) 387-7407
Fax (614) 644-6965
Transfer of Retail License:
Phone (614) 644-3156
Fax (614) 644-3166
Retail License: Apply for New Bar/Restaurant/Carryout
Phone (614) 644-3155
Fax (614) 644-3166

Beer & Wine (Manufacturers & Distributors) Phone (614) 644-2411
E-mail Liquor_B&W@com.state.oh.us

Communications/Media Relations
Phone (614) 466-7740
E-mail Michael.Gravely@com.state.oh.us

Legal (Hearings)
Phone (614) 644-2489
Fax (614) 644-3740

Report Liquor Law Violations (Enforcement)
Public Safety Complaints:
Cell Phone Users:............................ #677
Landline Users:
Main Office (After Hours Leave Message). 614-644-2415
Shipley Guard Desk (24 hours a day)......... 614-752-6007

Want to sell your beer or wine to Ohio stores, bars and restaurants?
Learn how to get products registered.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

CONTACT THE LIQUOR ENTERPRISE SERVICE CENTER

Any Vendors/Brokers who would like to list a new item in Ohio must contact the Liquor Enterprise Service Center at 877-812-0013 or LiquorAgencyHelp@com.state.oh.us

CONTACT US

Division of Liquor Control
6606 Tussing Road
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Phone 614.644.2360
Email Web.liqr@com.state.oh.us

Webmaster
Contact the Webmaster for Questions
or Comments on the Website:
webmaster@com.state.oh.us

CONNECT WITH US

LOOKUP SERVICES

Special Event Liquor Permit Search Liquor Permit Retailers Search Liquor Permit Violations Search Ownership Disclosure Search Permits In Safekeeping Search

RESOURCES

We Don't Serve Teens Liquor Laws & Rules Ohio Liquor Control Commission Ohio Ethics Commission Law On Open Containers Law On Gambling

ABOUT LIQUOR CONTROL

Director Sheryl Maxfield

Get a liquor license for your business.

Agency Operations

Search and Find

New Agency (Store) Information

Existing Liquor Agencies (Stores)

Broker and Supplier Information

Become a Contract Liquor Agent.

Liquor Permits

General

Major Events

Temporary Permit Online Portal

Temporary Permit Applications

Apply For:

Forms To Complete with your Application:

General Information / Forms:

Apply For/To:

General Information:

Forms To Complete with your Application:

Manufacturers & Suppliers

Suppliers Only

Solicitors

Manufacturers Only

Organization Disclosure

Wholesalers & Distributors

Organization Disclosure

Solicitors

General Information

Investigations & Compliance

Inspection Requirements

Applications & Forms

You can play a role in preventing underage drinking.

Permit Classes

Laws & Rules

Social Responsibility & Prevention

Publications and Documents

Liquor Associations

Helpful Sites & Information

Availability / Quota of Permits

Legislative Authority Information

Having problems with a bar in your community?

Visit Us

Division of Liquor Control Sections

Want to sell your beer or wine to Ohio stores, bars and restaurants?